Jamaican creole heritage language instruction in Toronto

Thesis

The aim of the study was to explore the nature of attitudes towards Jamaican Creole Heritage language instruction in the city of Toronto, as well as how such attitudes were affected by an individual’s level of ethnic orientation, age, and immigrant generation. The study involved 43 individuals between the ages of 18-60+ of Jamaican heritage or who were connected to Jamaican heritage by means relationships. A mixed methods approach to data collection and analysis was employed. Quantitative data was collected through a questionnaire and analysed using multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Overall, findings revealed the complex and multi-layered nature of attitudes towards Jamaican Creole. Though participants largely expressed positive attitudes and feelings towards the language, attitudes towards formal Jamaican Creole heritage language instruction were largely dismissive and did not appear to be mediated by ethnic orientation, age, or immigrant generation. Such findings highlight a need for Jamaican Creole language awareness raising initiatives in Toronto as well as the development of Jamaican Creole literature of more varied genres, particularly those of an academic nature. Such advances may increase the perceived instrumentality of the language and address concerns about standardization, both factors which appear to have some bearing on attitudes to Jamaican Creole heritage language instruction in the city.

Authors: Tucker, SK

• Alternative title: An investigation into language attitudes and program viability
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-nrvna8mkq
• Type of award: MSc
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: ALSLA; ALSLA2018
• Subjects: Education; Applied linguistics